About

Biography

My work turns the act of painting into a process of applying a patina --
creating something new and separate from what was originally there. The
image grows through a repetitive process of erasure and recovery. What
remains is the essence of the thing - that which fought to survive. To make
the transformation more clear, I paint images that are themselves well
known or of a familiar genre. The altered view re-presents the scene and
allows one to reconsider it anew.

My Story

Known as a colorist who transitioned from abstraction to impressionism, Kevin Burger was primarily a self-taught painter whose work suggests dialogue between line, shape, subdued emotions, and transforming color. Most of his subjects were either familiar landscape scenes or abstract movement.

Kevin received an early, founding education in art at the Byam Shaw Art School in London, England, where he became interested in abstract painting. After spending a year in Paris, studying and painting, Kevin moved back to the States and spent several years between Los Angeles and New York City exploring the art scenes and developing his own artistic voice. He eventually settled in New York City, living in an apartment in the East Village, and painting in a studio in Brooklyn.

In 1984, Kevin worked in the studio of Louise Bourgeois, which began a long-term friendship with the world-famous sculptor. In May 1999, Ms. Bourgeois hosted an exhibition at her studio, "The Bridge and The Tower," featuring Kevin’s “Eiffel Tower” series.

Kevin was also fortunate to have found a supportive patron of his art in Martha Stewart. Kevin began working for Ms. Stewart as her production assistant in about 1992, and she encouraged his art and remained a close personal friend throughout his life. Ms. Stewart hosted a “25-Year Retrospective” show of Kevin’s work in July 2005. In addition, Kevin’s work was featured in several publications, including: Martha Stewart Living, May, 2007, “Thinking Pink”; Martha Stewart Living, February, 2000, “Six Lessons for Decorating a Mantel”;
and Blueprint, Summer, 2006, “Full House.”

Kevin was “at the top of his game,” as he had said, when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. After a three-year fight, Kevin passed away in January 2006. A memorial web site was established and dedicated to him: www.kevinburger.com . It includes photographs gathered from friends and family, tributes, as well as cataloged reproductions of many of his remaining paintings. Kevin is being represented by select galleries in the U.S. and by the Kevin Burger estate. If you are interested in viewing or purchase, you may find more information at:
www.kevinkarlburgerart.com

Kevin Burger - A 25-Year Retrospective,” held at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia corporate offices, New York, NY, in July 2005.

“Kevin had an exquisite eye for color and a sophisticated sense of design. Kevin’s paintings are both rich and understated, which makes them ideal centerpieces around which to build a room. I am privileged to own a number of Kevin’s paintings, which I continue to value, both for what they evoke aesthetically, and as reminders of the friendship we shared.”

--- Martha Stewart

One of her design tactics was to create a continuous wash of ambient color throughout the guesthouse. The mirror frame above the fireplace, for example, was painted the same pink as the cottage’s walls and trims. Allusions to Italy, Venice especially, are another recurring theme —one that’s right at ease with the coastal Maine setting. Martha chose a large-scale painting of a Venetian lagoon, by her friend Kevin Burger, to hang in the dining room…

— As seen in Martha Stewart Living, May 2007 issue, “Thinking Pink.”